Apple simplifies running Linux containers on macOS

Apple announced a new open-source containerization framework and shell tool, Container, to simplify running Linux containers on Macs. This allows developers to create and run lightweight Linux virtual machines directly on macOS. The new framework, optimized for Apple Silicon, will be integrated into the upcoming macOS 26 (Tahoe). It uses a custom init system and spins up a separate VM for each container, enhancing security and network isolation with dedicated IP addresses. While currently in developer beta, the framework has a known networking issue in macOS 15 that will be resolved in the upcoming release. This move positions macOS as a strong platform for container-based development, similar to Microsoft's approach with Windows Subsystem for Linux.